jamali garden is such a terrific resource – i love the hanging lights they have here and here ($3.99 a piece!)!  imagine them sprinkled by the dozen under trees so the canopy glows at dusk.  (inspiration photo via pottery barn) -m-

more links: trunkt – a buyer’s guide to independent art + design

frosting – just accessories (and the belt I should have ordered for summer but that’s now out of stock)

pashley
cycles – the bike to end all bikes (a wicker basket, headlight and
leather seat…be still my heart!!)!   makes me want to tour the
english countryside by bike!

big news…BIG news! 
a huge, wonderful person in my life is moving!  cassidy, the mmp office manager, will be relocating to a small town about an hour and a half from Lexington (her sweet fiance found a great teaching job there) so we’re on the hunt for an equally amazing & darling person to fill her shoes (well in the office anyway!)! 

Here are the details:
part time office manager/personal assistant (approx. 15-20 hours/week)
- must be sweet beyond compare
- pleasant & friendly
- incredible attention to detail & love for what you do
- familiar with Microsoft Outlook
- organized
- outstanding communication skills
- available during the hours of 10am-4pm Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri (more during the warm months, a bit less during the cooler months)
- available to start august 27th (so Cassidy can train you personally)
- pay $10hr*

If you’re reading this and know that you’re the perfect person for us, please get in touch – melanie@melaniemauer.com with the subject line: office manager (along with a resume that may highlight special skills we haven’t listed like bookkeeping, sales, pr, design… and a little or a lot about yourself).  No calls please.

And as much as I love those of you who are considering photography, my strong preference is for someone who is *not* a photographer (or hoping to be one) – we’re specifically looking for someone who is able work here long-term.

* We believe that documenting our clients happy lives is SO important, and as a photographer, I want to extend that same gift – a session for you and your family will be done each and every year that you’re a part of MMP.   

I’m so excited to see who writes!  You’ll be a huge part of the wonderful way we spend our days and are key for keeping our life/work balanced so I’m really looking forward to meeting you!  -m-

engagement sessions are sooooo fun as evidenced by these photos with brooke & jason!  just thinking of them makes me smile for an hour! 

lots of notes:
a dear dear client & friend, brad riddell, is very involved in The Kentucky Film Lab and the fall filmmakers studio is sept 14-16 in louisville…if that’s an interest of yours (wonderful writers, producers & directors will be on hand), check out details

and apparently i’m not the only one in love with short dresses (via elseachelsea) – so wonderful!  dresses by: oscar de la renta, carolina herrera, romona keveza

i say it often but life is good around here – check out the total sweetness exuded by jamie & kevin.  this was the first time i’d met kevin, and he was extremely easy to photograph – completely comfortable in front of the camera so I’m expecting big things from him on the wedding day!  generally it will take everyone a few minutes to get used to the big camera in their face but he turned it ‘on’ immediately!  jamie looked like she’d just stepped out of a j.crew catalog…i adored her kelly green top!  i love them for their charm.  i love them for showing their love for each other so well during the session.  i love them for letting me be their lucky photographer :)   -m-

p.s. I know no one likes to think about christmas in July…believe me, i’m the first to go ‘ugh’ as i pass the too-early in-store displays of christmas paraphernalia that start popping up prior to halloween.  But as I’m looking at my calendar, I noticed that I’m already getting October commissions for portraits.  And keeping in mind that I need 4 weeks to proof portraits, September is the best time for family portraits for holiday cards* if you want to make the ordering deadline of October 8th.  I’m bound and determined to be a normal person this holiday season, sipping cider with Jason and leisurely wrapping gifts ;)  So, take a look at your calendar, let me know what looks best and we’ll get that session date pinned down! 
*no more snapshots allowed – revel in your mignonne-ness (i’m so hoping that means "cute" in french like i think it does)!   

at the grocery to pick up nectarines this evening (i have an insatiable appetite for these right now…especially on pineapple coconut hagen daz), i remembered that i wanted to pick up the O at Home that features my new platonic crush, talented Amy Hamilton of granville millinery (aren’t her hats lovely?)…it’s such a great article about the joys of working from home, life in the country and the timing is just so right for me.  the whole issue is great – mariska hargitay’s home filled with photos, an article about quality (and the editors ask all the featured people what their idea of quality is – you’ll love amy’s answers) – anyhow, i’d gotten the premiere issue but it was really nice to see what it has become.

also bought organize and it had tons of great tips…the design was a bit less compelling than other mags but it helped me discover dare to dream (and i downloaded ‘beautiful flower’ from itunes after reading this post for audrey’s "audrey rawk" playlist on my ipod). 

thought i’d share the quote on the blackboard in the office (it’s been up way too long since i know i’ll miss reading it once it’s gone):

most of us live our lives as if we’re watching a movie – one that someone else is writing, producing & directing. we sit back with our popcorn and jujubes and say, ‘I wonder how this will turn out?’… well, guess what? the answer lies with you. you’re sam goldwyn. you’re in charge.  -gail blanke

it’s a favorite thought of mine that we get to create the life we want to live.  (and it’s exciting to see so many friends with big changes ahead in their lives – moves to a new country, babies, weddings…).  going to new york next week so let me know by thursday if there’s anything photo related on your mind :)  -m-